Being described as the world’s first plug-in hybrid SUV, the new Outlander PHEV is to be released in Australia in mid-2016 due to higher-than-expected demand in foreign markets including the Netherlands and the UK. The Mitsubishi Outlander 2015 model sold consistently worldwide, particularly in the UK and Australia, and early reports are suggesting that we’ll be seeing their numbers eclipsed by 2016’s offering. Improvements have been made across the board, most notably to the car’s performance.

Efficiency

True to form, Mitsubishi has made a strong effort to focus on improving the energy efficiency of the PHEV, after all, the target market is essentially looking for this when they go for a hybrid.

The 4D waggon will be considerably more efficient than the previous model. How efficient? With fully charged batteries, the PHEV gets 1.8L/100km. This basically means that over reasonably short distances (going to work and back every day), you’re unlikely to use up any fuel whatsoever. That said, simply fueling up before a drive to a holiday destination or even road-trip, will have you making the trip comfortably. The PHEV is both a city-friendly family vehicle or a something to load up and take with you on week’s getaway.

This makes it particularly practical for just about any lifestyle, which is possibly why it is appealing to more consumers than expected in the early going overseas.

Performance

A positive is that this improved efficiency across the board has not necessarily come at the cost of power. A 2.0-liter petrol engine links to the front wheels and with 87kW behind it the SUV packs more than enough punch for its intended purpose.

But the real improvements have come in the form of handling, with tweaks made to the front and back suspension. This not only improves steering response but makes driving along hilly country roads, pebble streets of dirt tracks more smooth and far more forgiving. It also means things are less noisy in the cabin, which was a criticism that was made about 2015‘s model.

While it’s not exactly the quickest car in its class, the Outlander has decent acceleration up to 100km/h and power will always deliver what is expected.

Interior

Mitsubishi has taken various shortcomings pointed out about past models to heart and understandably looked to improve these. One such improvement is the interior which has abandoned its understated style and gone for a more luxurious look. As discussed, there has been a strong focus on improving comfort inside by reducing sounds from wind, suspension and the like. Sound proofing additions have been made as well as anti-vibration material added; in combination with an improved suspension, this makes for a much more relaxed ride.

Keep an eye out for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, sure to be one of the most popular releases in 2016 and certainly an upgrade over the previous model. For information about the full range of Mitsubishi’s vehicles available now or to book a test drive, speak to the friendly team at Chadstone Mitsubishi today!

Motoring has become one of the most expensive ways to independence in recent years, thanks to the higher petrol prices, road taxes, insurance and a whole host of maintenance and repair work.Saving some money by choosing the right type of car is just the first step, you can go further to save more money by increasing your fuel efficiency.By following these 5 simple tips, you can see your savings start to add up over the coming years.

1. Steady Acceleration and Braking

Making sure you accelerate and brake more smoothly is one great way to increase your fuel economy, as driving more smoothly will help you use less petrol. If you brake late your car is still using petrol to push the car forward, so keep the car in gear and cruise to a stop. Putting your car in neutral and stopping has the same effect of using petrol, so keep it in gear and let those drops of fuel add up!

2. Over Revving Your Vehicle

Many people get into the bad habit of over revving their vehicle when changing gear. This miscalculation can add up in fuel costs, so try to keep at the optimal rev level for your vehicle depending on which gear you choose. You should be hitting 2,500 revs per minute on a petrol car and 2,000 revs per minute on a diesel. Revving too high uses more fuel, which in turn costs you more money, so break the habit, watch your rev counter and learn to change gear at a lower rev.

3. How Speed Has an Impact on Your Fuel Economy

If you want to know how to get a better fuel economy, one of the biggest ways to improve upon is to take note of your vehicle’s speed. Fuel consumption may not be simply about the speed that you are travelling at, but how smoothly you are travelling. The majority of vehicles consume the maximum amount of fuel at above 120 km p/h, so keeping below this speed is critical when it comes to saving fuel.

The moment your vehicle jumps into the 2,500 rev band, the fuel is being drunk at a considerable rate.Using 100 km p/h as a baseline, travelling 110 km p/h uses 9% more fuel, whereas travelling at 80 km p/h uses 15% more fuel. Taking that figure into account, if you travel at 110 km p/h then you will be using more than 25% more fuel than if you were travelling at 80mph.

4. Tyres, Luggage, Roof Rack

Tyres play a huge role in helping keep fuel economy down as over time the tyres will become flattered and can start to affect your fuel economy. Setting your tyres to the correct pressure can save you up to 2% of your fuel and ensure that you are travelling safe for the road surface that you are on.

Luggage and roof racks can play a role in saving you money on your fuel. If your car is heavier, it will take more energy to move it and therefore more revs and more fuel. Having an aerodynamically solid roof rack can have less of an effect on fuel economy than a large square block, so purchase wisely!

5. Diesel vs Petrol engines

Today’s modern diesel engines use less fuel than they ever did and are a slightly better with fuel emissions than they were a long while ago. Diesel engines use less fuel than their petrol counterparts, but they tend to cost more to buy. The overall fuel efficiency of your car’s specific engine will truly determine the overall fuel efficiency, as there are plenty of non-economical diesel and petrol engines out there.

If purchasing a new or used car, make sure that fuel economy is factored into the equation as it can end up being a hidden cost of running your car that you didn’t think about whilst purchasing. Take care to drive more smoothly and use all of the tips like shutting off your air conditioning when you are cruising on the highways to help lower your fuel consumption. Brake and accelerate gently and you will be well on your way to saving fuel and money in no time at all.

Buying a new or used car can be a stressful situation at the best of times, but when you do finally settle on your dream Mitsubishi car the next step is choosing how to pay for it. For the majority of people, buying a new car outright isn’t financially possible, which is why there are many different options to choose from when it comes to purchasing your car.

But which is best for you? Let’s take a look at the differences between a personal car loan and what is offered by your local Mitsubishi dealership in terms of financing.

In most instances, a personal car loan can be taken out by many different financial institutions. This includes your personal bank, another high street bank that may offer select car loan services, as well as a financial loan service that specialises in loans for the purchasing of vehicles. For the most part, many people choose to talk to their own bank about a personal car loan, as they may be able to offer a better deal than a rival bank.

Secured Loan Against The Vehicle

The loan that a bank or financial institution will be able to offer you is very similar to a regular loan you may take out for building work on your home, an extra expense or something similar.

The majority of these loans are usually taken out of the car you are purchasing as a guarantee for the loan. The car is used as a security measure so that the terms and repayments of the loan can generally be lower than expected for a general unsecured loan.

By using your new car as security for this personal loan, you are at risk of losing the car if you do not make repayments. Usually, many banks will be able to offer you a fixed interest rate for the totality of the repayments schedule, as well as being able to make additional payments on top of the agreed repayment schedule.

Get A Better Deal With Your Dealership

car key

For Australians, particularly living in Melbourne, Mitsubishi finance offers from local dealers differ slightly in that the dealership may be able to secure you a better deal for their customers with their banking loan supplier. This can vary from dealership to dealership, but most Mitsubishi finance options available are priced very competitively for the current market.

The benefits of the Mitsubishi finance deals:

Spot authorization

Affordable finance options

Competitive rate on the market

Pre-authorization for future purchase

Available for private and business use

Get A Quote In-Store

Most dealership finance quotes are available at the dealership itself, and can often offer you a much more comprehensive finance deal that includes insurance and warranties to go with it. As well as providing services for life and disability insurance along with the general finance agreement.

You will also be able to get extended warranty offers at participating dealerships and other deals as financial incentives to choose to get finance with the dealership.

These added bonuses often mean the majority of people opt for the great deals that Mitsubishi finance options can offer its customers, and allow you to purchase the car and drive away free of hassle and negotiation that finding a good Mitsubishi deal elsewhere might give you.

Buying a new Mitsubishi car can make for both an exciting and emotional experience. To ensure that everything goes swimmingly with your new vehicle there are a few things you need to think about. One of the most important is where you choose to buy your new car. Buying from a certified Mitsubishi dealership can offer you many benefits over purchasing elsewhere and you can make your purchase with greater peace of mind.

Don’t be too alarmed by the sales patter, Mitsubishi dealers are good people just wanting to help you out! Just make sure that you have a general idea of the car you wish to look at and see the sales advisor as the person to get you the right deal if you make a decision. Take someone along who knows a lot about cars if you feel you are less knowledgeable than average, and remember that you do not need to make a final decision today.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Too Many Questions

If you have already made your decision on which Mitsubishi car you want, ask the sales advisor about the different options available to you in regards to upgrades, in-car entertainment options, and alloys. You may find that some dealers can offer you special deals, so don’t forget to ask.

You will be advised on the car you are purchasing and how the different functions and features of the car can be of benefit to you. Take time to look around the car and get a good feel of it inside and out. Understand the engine and pose as many questions as you can to the Mitsubishi dealer about the benefits of the fuel economy and safety features the vehicle has to offer.

Ensure that you take the car for a test drive, as well as the other cars you like to narrow down your choice better. Remember that the car in the showroom may be an older model or a more reduced model depending on the upgrades, so make sure that the car you may have to order is in mind.

Take a Little Time Before You Buy

Feeling excited is a normal emotion to feel when purchasing your first new car from a Mitsubishi dealership, but don’t let it overwhelm you. You may find that you love the first car you tried, but allow a little time to settle in before you make the big purchase. Dealerships understand that purchasing a car is a big investment, so ask to take a little time to think about it.

Going into a dealership on a weekend is a great idea for you to walk around, take a test drive and have a day or 2 to think about your purchase before you sign the agreements. It also allows you to visit other dealerships and make them offers based on the quote you received from the previous dealership. It is always a good thing to shop around.

Be Confident About Warranties and Guarantees

If you have any questions about warranties and guarantees or other financial papers you will have to sign to finalise the purchase of your car, don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as possible. Making sure that you know the rules and regulations concerning anything that may go wrong with your new car purchase are the way to go.

Keep in touch with your local Mitsubishi car dealership to ensure that any problems you may have in the future can be resolved in a friendly and timely manner. Your local Mitsubishi dealer will be able to help regarding any technical issue you may encounter, so do not hesitate to stay in contact and allow you to be confident in your new purchase.